虛堂和尚語錄 1.10

1.10

He also cited: 'Sansheng said: "When I meet someone, I go out, but in going out I do not act for the person." Xinghua said: "When I meet someone, I do not go out, but if I do go out, I act for the person."' The Master said: 'The two old masters—one beats the drum in the land of Campā, the other dances in the land of the Tajiks. If they want to sustain the orthodox school of Linji, it is much like piecing bamboo together to touch the moon. Today, this mountain monk appears in the world, and likewise has no Chan path or Buddhadharma to offer anyone; I only have a mouth to eat rice. If suddenly a fellow were to come forth and say, "Thank you, upādhyāya, for the instruction," I would pick up the staff and strike him. Why? Having begun, one must not quit; where there is no romance, romance is found.'